He seems to have been as native to America as the heather is to the slopes of Ben Lomond. In his marriage he was also cordially welcomed into a distinguished family. whose blood was the closest. in collateral kinship. to the lineage of the illustrious man whom all Americans have claimed and will always claim as the father of his country. a sacred mark of affiliation that no American will ever consent to acknowledge towards any other person. It was a fortunate circumstance. one that has borne excellent fruit. in the hospitality we have always extended to foreignborn people who are worthy of confidence and respect. and has liberalized our laws of naturalization. that Washington was so intimately associated in our war of independence with men like General Lafayette and Marshal Rochambeau and Col. Alexander Hamilton. whose father was a Scotchman. and many others of the noblest patriots of the Revolution. all of whom were aliens by birth to the colonies. The way that they opened up to the aspiring men born in other countries. who claim the liberties secured to American citizenship and its abundant honors. leads directly to the hearts of the people.
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naturalization